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Firearms training and storage practices among US gun owners: a nationally representative study
John Berrigan1, Deborah Azrael1, David Hemenway2
1Harvard Injury Control Research Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Summary
Formal firearms training does not appear to reduce unsafe firearm storage practices among US adults. Most gun owners store at least one firearm loaded and unlocked, regardless of training status.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Firearm Safety Research
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Safe firearm storage is crucial for preventing unintentional shootings and suicides.
- Understanding current firearm storage practices and the impact of training is essential for developing effective safety interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe firearm storage practices among US adults.
- To examine the relationship between formal firearms training and firearm storage behaviors.
Main Methods:
- A nationally representative online survey of 2072 gun owners was conducted in 2015.
- Data collected included firearm storage methods, reasons for ownership, and formal firearms training details.
- Statistical analyses, including Pearson's chi-squared tests and multivariate logistic regressions, were used to assess associations.
Main Results:
- 29.7% of gun owners stored at least one firearm loaded and unlocked.
- Firearm owners with formal training were slightly more likely to store firearms unsafely (32.3%) compared to those without training (25.8%).
- Formal firearms training was not significantly associated with storing firearms loaded and unlocked after adjusting for other factors.
Conclusions:
- Current formal firearms training programs are unlikely to improve safe firearm storage.
- Further research is needed to develop and evaluate training that effectively promotes safe firearm storage practices.
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